Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 5:49 pm

Now I done it....Have been working the Lo Boy the last couple of days and a few minor glitches,but got a lot done. Perfect weather!

I broke it. Conditions were really optimal as far as most things, I was using the disc harrow close to home and was almost as done for the day, winter is coming and I have all the mowing done and best of all, I had a small audience. I suspect some of the things I have done the Fast Hitch 'fixed', like the York rake, scraper blade and disc harrow has taken it's toll. I try not to abuse equipment, but sometimes stuff happens.

At any rate, I am now on the lookout for another hard to find part... a Lo Boy Fast Hitch lift rod, ouch Anybody have a stray one kicking around the want to sell or trade??

My new pliers!

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 6:39 pm

Why not just weld it back together?

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 6:51 pm

Larry:

You can see where the original chip/crack was. You should be able to have that welded - especially by a good welder. A lot cheaper than trying to find a replacement.

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:20 pm

]I might have that rod. Would be from the same pile as the other hitch part. Check out old pictures from photo host. Might be the rod on the far right of picture.

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:29 pm

Hey BW,

Sorry to interject with a question but the lift rod (I'm assuming) is the rod that goes from the hydraulics just past the throttle and hydraulic lever to the rear and attaches to the fast hitch assembly raising it up and down (sorry for improper terminology). I've noticed that mine must be rubbing against the steering column (chaffed paint) under a decent load and have been worrying about it snapping as I've never seen it do this before. Did you notice anything like this with yours before it went. I simply don't know if it is wear and tear that I'm looking at or a weak link ready to go. Hope welding it is a good solution. By the way, I still feel I owe you something for those carriage bolts. Got the wheel weights cleaned up and installed and the difference is noticeable. Been plowing up some good areas the past couple weekends. Can't wait till spring. JL

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Sun Nov 11, 2012 11:25 pm

Johnny Lindqvist wrote:Sorry to interject with a question but the lift rod (I'm assuming) is the rod that goes from the hydraulics just past the throttle and hydraulic lever to the rear and attaches to the fast hitch assembly raising it up and down (sorry for improper terminology). JL

Yes, that is it. Some cubs in addition have the helper spring attachment also that mounts to the fender and hydraulic rockshaft.

If yours appears to be mishappen, it can be restraightened fairly easy.

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:24 am

muleboss wrote:]I might have that rod. Would be from the same pile as the other hitch part. Check out old pictures from photo host. Might be the rod on the far right of picture.

Here is a bigger picture, Bob (muleboss).

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:54 am

Yep Johnny, it is that rod. It should have factory bends in it and clear everything, but I probably over-tweaked it at the redoubt running it 'fixed' (lock block tight, no float) with the York rake and not quick enough on the TC when going up the grades (see below). That is where the rust shows on the pictures, it rubbed the steering tube. But didn't deform enough for me to straighten it. Going over the same ground Saturday (last picture) with the mower it just lifts up and continues on it's merry way. I needed pressure on the rake to make it work, came out pretty good!

Also Johnny, don't worry about the bolts, it all works out in the end.... glad you put em to good use. And Bear sent me the square head bolts for the front weights.... so I owed the 'Cub world' one kind favor.

For now, I will try to get it welded so I can get the disc back from the Salvation Army garden (what a mess! Sure needs a 'guiding hand') and sounds like I can find one thanks to fine members of the board. I thought it was forged and NOT repairable. I don't think I want to trust a repair as I do drive the Lo Boy over 3 miles back and forth to Ft Adams to mow...... hate to think of the mower just falling to the pavement on the trip

BTW, the fast hitch drop arm for the mower (first picture, where the PTO shaft it) was from MuleBoss a few years back. I have put it to good use.

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:41 pm

I saw the photo of the lift rod and realized that I may have one. It came with my '53 Cub. I always thought it was a home made part. I should go down to the barn and take a photo of it, but it's rainy day and I have a cold. If it indeed is one of these FH rods, I'm glad I saved it. Are they for Lo Boys only or does the F Cub use the same part? If there's a difference how would I identify what mine is? What are these things worth?

Ed

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:41 pm

ebax wrote:I saw the photo of the lift rod and realized that I may have one. It came with my '53 Cub. I always thought it was a home made part. I should go down to the barn and take a photo of it, but it's rainy day and I have a cold. If it indeed is one of these FH rods, I'm glad I saved it. Are they for Lo Boys only or does the F Cub use the same part? If there's a difference how would I identify what mine is? What are these things worth?

Ed, the lift rod for the loboy FH is different than the one for the regular cub FH. Post a picture when you can to verify the part and which tractor it goes on. Cost depends on condition.

If you have a 53' Cub, I don't think you have a loboy lift rod, maybe you have a FH helper spring assembly installed for a Cub??

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:14 pm

Hey Gary, Tractor and grounds look good. That rod in the picture looks like mine although it's yellow. So I guess mine is the proper shape. It just has that odd curve in it that I questioned however the symptoms you described (rubbing the steering arm) is what I've noticed. Oh well, at least you can have that one welded while your looking for a new one. I suppose that having one that is repaired is better than not having one at all. Good luck finding it. Thanks again, JohnnyHey where's your shop located again?

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:44 pm

Larry,Tim (tst) is making them for the regular Cub Fast Hitch, in fact he had them at Cecil's last month.Check with him.Peter

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:48 pm

A new day and it's all looking better. I called an old friend that is a good welder and was a farmer, he said don't try to fix it. I thought a repair would hold me over till I got one, so I could at least fetch the harrow. Then I looked at it a little closer.... it will soon be yard art. A lot of 'fractures' in it that I can only guess where they came from. It's been sandblasted and painted, so did I miss it??

I am pretty lucky, it was going to fail, no better time and place then where it happened. I was pretty much finished for the day and the harrow is just around the corner.

A couple of great leads from board members on the part. Life is good!

BTW, both rods are ~54" BUT the Lo Boy one is a larger diameter, so the trunion etc are all different. Also the bends are different. The half painted one is for my 64 Cub (long story).

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:35 pm

The Lo Boy's is .880" and Cub is .760"

Re: Broke a hard to find part.... FH lift rod for a Lo Boy

Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:47 pm

Larry-I have a repro Loboy(TM)lift rod you can borrow if you want to get it copied.Bought it several years ago for my 3-digit '55 Loboy that's still on the back burner.Mike